All Quiet On The Western Front :: essays research papers

The story of several schoolmates who symbolize a generation destroyed by the dehumanisation of the First World War, in both Quiet on the Western Front tells of the men who died, and the tragically changed lives of those who survived. Remarque follows the story of Paul Bumer, a young infantryman, from his last days of school to his devastation three years later. Whereas the journey motif is typically used to portray a positive character development, that of Paul is deliberately the opposite. In what has been dubbed the greatest antiwar story of all time, Remarque depicts the way in which Paul is snatched away from humanity by the brutality of war. However while Paul and his comrades become separated from society, and begin to entrust on their basic survival instincts, in their own surroundings they still show humane qualities such as compassion, camaraderie, support and remorse. Pauls transformation from human to soldier begins in training camp, and is reinforced by the trauma at the front. His return home further alienates him from society, and Paul begins to feel safe at the front with his friends. Nonetheless through out the novel suffering and mortality bare Pauls true side, and he momentarily regains his former self. Bumer, the German word for tree, is an early indication that Paul must remain firmly rooted in reality to survive the brutality of war. Even when the novel begins, all Paul has known is death, horror, fear, distress, and despair. He describes the other soldiers in his company, including his German school mates with whom he enlisted after constant lecturing from their school master, Kantorek. The pressures of nationalism and gallantry had forced even the most reluctant students to enlist. However weeks of essential training caused any appeal the military may have held for them to be lost. Corporal Himmelstoss, the boys instructor, unfeelingly victimizes them with constant bed remaking, sweeping snow, softening stiff boot leather and cra wling through the mud. While this seems to be somewhat cruel treatment, it was in detail beneficial for the soldiers. the most important result was that it awakened in us a strong, practical sense of esprit de corps, which in the field developed into the finest thing that arose out of the war comradeship. (p23)The time spent at training camp prepared the boys for what was to come, by making them tough and brutal, while at the same time creating an ground forces that does not stop to question its orders.